Thoughts and tales from a writer in progress.

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50 Things

A friend recently told me about her high school principal and two key pieces of advice she imparted to the graduating class:

Always maintain your own bank account.

Have a filing cabinet.

Hmm.

It did get me thinking about the good and bad advice I have been given (such as when my mother told me to say “I’ll think about it” to any and all proposals of marriage) and what I would like to share with my children. I decided to start a list.

My list does not cover great big moral issues – that is what I am trying to get through to them on a day-to-day basis. My list consists of a bunch of random things (that I think I know) that I want to make sure I cover with my daughters at some point. Here is my list so far:

Listen to music as often as you can.

Do not ever, under any circumstances, try to take Spanx off over your head.

Do not buy shoes that hurt you no matter how much you love them.

Do not stay with a partner that hurts you, no matter how much you love them.

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Whatever job you have, be it cleaning toilets or running a country, do it to the very best of your ability every single day.

Learn to drive as soon as possible.

Sit up straight!

Vote. Even if your side is ‘guaranteed’ to win. Or lose.

Volunteer.

Say ‘no’ when ‘no’ is what you want to say.

Skip the tattoos.

Or don’t. But don’t get a dolphin or anyone’s name. Or anything on your neck or chest.

Do not put olive pits in the garbage disposal – they are nature’s bullets.

Mind your own manners but let other people worry about theirs.

Use your manners to make people feel comfortable not inferior.

Learn to cook.

Don’t eat and walk. Or drive.

Actively contribute to your friends’ success – show up to the book launch, re-Tweet that Tweet, run the charity run, help make a connection, whatever is needed.

Always RSVP in a timely manner.

Be a great tipper. Especially for breakfast.

Do not buy gossip magazines.*

Say ‘thank you’ (and mean it) to everyone who helps you in even the smallest way.

Don’t jay walk.

If someone tells you that they are a jerk, you should believe them.

Do not go to work or school when you are sick. People will not be awed by your heroics.

Don’t make assumptions about people based on anything other than what they actually say or do.

Just because everyone believes something doesn’t make it true. Think for yourself.

Send thank you notes (or emails) whenever there is a reason.

Floss. Every day.

Eat breakfast.

Don’t waste your time on pastries that aren’t fantastic. If you bite into a disappointing croissant, leave it.

Only butter is butter. There are no substitutes.

Save or invest 10% of your income.

Keep a mini pack of tissues, and a wet wipe or two in your car and purse.